Since the All-Star Voting isn't all that it is cut out to be, here is my list of All-Stars, those players who are most deserving and should be playing on the national stage (I'm basing the positions off of what the All-Star ballot lists those players as):

Analysis: What is probably most glaring to you all is the fact that Victor Martinez is the starting catcher rather than Joe Mauer. The only reason holding me back from starting Mauer is the fact that he missed the first few weeks due to injury. I think it'd be a little more fair to have the player who has consistently been good, not getting injured. That aspect also kept me from starting Jason Bartlett over Derek Jeter. The outfield and second base positions were also difficult, that third outfielder coming down to Jones, Ichiro (who missed time), Crawford, Cruz, among others. Second base really came down to Cano and Aaron Hill of Toronto, so some difficult decisions, but we still have a few weeks until the All-Star game, so a lot can change.

Analysis: A lot of what made this tough was the outfield. I don't know if Shin-Soo Choo is quite an All-Star, but it seems he's doing just better than others to get that spot. A lot of what locked it in for me was the way he is able to get on base and power factor he has. Joe Mauer and Jason Bartlett, as stated before, both are reserves due to an injury keeping them out for a lengthy period of time. Brandon Inge has been quite a surprise for the Tigers.

Analysis: The pitching is always tough to figure. Edwin Jackson is having a very surprising year for the Tigers, though it was difficult for me to choose him over other very talented pitchers at this point. I know ERA isn't everything, but 6-4 w/ a 2.39 ERA and a WHIP of 1.04 ain't too shabby. Plus, hitters are only .217 against him, definitely a career first half for Jackson. Zack Greinke is my AL starter at this point, but it's possible that that could change. A lot of the entire team can change really, but for now, that's what this will be.

Analysis: I gotta tell ya, I'm going to try to say this the best I can without sounding like a hypocrite. The reason I have Brian McCann starting is because of the fact that he's been one of the only consistent catchers in the national league, over guys like both Molinas. Joe Mauer I don't have starting (yet) because of how well Victor Martinez has been playing and being able to play as much as possible. The other really tough position for me was third base, choosing David Wright over guys like Sandoval, Zimmerman, Jones and Blake. Also second base, but Chase Utley's ability to get on base and his ops really did it in for me, putting him over O-dog.

Analysis: What was really hard was choosing those last couple of spots, with Matt Kemp doing so well, but not really slugging and Adam Dunn being the player he is. I decided to go with Dunn, and also Chipper Jones over Matt Kemp. A couple of other noteworthy players, Mark Reynolds and Ryan Howard being left off the All-Star list as of now. Both are slugging, but neither are really hitting that well otherwise. Dunn has less strikeouts than both of them and also more walks, and also among other factors, I'm sticking with Dunn.

Analysis: OK, so you might be wondering a couple of things. Where in the world is Johan Santana? Well, his last few starts have not been kind to his All-Star chances. Also, with the Pirates and Cubs yet to have a representative, I had to put in Ted Lilly (who is putting All-Star numbers up) and Zach Duke (it was either him or Freddy Sanchez). I was hesitant on Matt Cain due to a high WHIP, but put him in anyway. Tim Lincecum has been impressive which made it difficult for me to choose Cueto over him, but there are some very very close numbers that factored into that decision.

Where are Reynolds and Howard you might ask?

Well, that is all for my All-Star selection for now. I'll probably have a mid-season update once the All-Star break rolls around. Enjoy and leave your complaints in the comment box..

While Hamilton plays for a team that isn't necessarily great, he has been a big part of why the Texas Rangers are above .500 right now. 4 games above .500 to be exact. Still in striking distance, the Rangers have relied heavily on the bat of Josh Hamilton. He, and Milton Bradley, have been two of the better offensive players in the entire league. While Hamilton does strike out a little more than some people may want, he hits for great power and he drives runners in. If he continues to play like this, we could very well see him get 170 RBIs this year.Hamilton has been a great addition for the Rangers.

The Phillies have been hanging tough this year, especially without Jimmy Rollins for a little while early in the year. Now, they are ahead of the fighting Florida Marlins and New York Mets. Another MVP title may be coming to Philly as well. Chase Utley has been a huge reason why the "Phiting Phils" have been so good. He stepped in while the reigning MVP from last year, Rollins, was out. Utley has slowed a little bit, but has remained patient and still has been hitting for great power. While he hasn't driven as many runs as people like Hamilton, he still has 69 RBIs and is well on pace to be around 125 for the season's end.Chase Utley has helped the Phils get into first place in the NL East

While Cliff Lee exploded onto the scene early in the year for the Indians, Cleveland has fallen well out of the race and have determined that their time is up. With C.C. Sabathia being traded, Cleveland looks out of it. In the meantime, Justin Duchscherer of the Oakland A's has quietly turned himself into a formidable starter in Oakland's rotation. He has done it all in his career. He's been a middle reliever, setup man, even has 14 career saves, and now is doing it as a starter. While Duchscherer doesn't K as much as the next guy, he still has good stuff and doesn't allow too many base runners. With Oakland still well in it (despite the Rich Harden trade), Duchscherer may become a centerpiece that the A's can build around for the upcoming years.Duchscherer has become Oakland's ace.

While there have been more dominant pitchers in the National League (Edinson Volquez and Tim Lincecum namely), neither pitches with more pressure than Sheets. With the Brew Crew trying to bring this team to the playoffs for the first time in a quarter century, Sheets has been the dominant ace that he's always been. There's something different though...he's staying very healthy AND he's playing on a winning team. His most complete seasons have come when the Brewers weren't all that great and his other seasons have been injury filled and many DL trips. Sheets, and newly acquired Sabathia, have a great chance of bringing this team to the playoffs this year, ending their drought.Can Sheets lead the Brew Crew to the playoffs?

Ever since being called up to be the Rays' third baseman, Evan Longoria has stepped up and helped turn this once sad state of a team to a bright, young, possible World Series contender. Even though he wasn't with Tampa Bay for the first 10 or so games of the year, Longoria has done enough to be a front runner for the AL ROY and has made his first All-Star team. Can he lead the Rays to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history?Longoria has a bright future ahead of him.

Another rookie who made the All-Star team in his first complete year, Geovany Soto has raised many eyebrows with his power. While having an explosive start to the season, Soto has balanced out a little and is still hitting .286. Soto is the first rookie catcher to start for the NL All-Star team and many more All-Star games may be ahead of him. This kid has been impressive and is quite possibly the Cubs' catcher of the future.Can Soto keep up his great 1st half?

Especially after the trade of Johan Santana, not very many people expected the Twins to play the way they have. Their key? Young pitching and fundamental baseball. Watch out for this team and a late season push led by pitchers like Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, and Nick Blackburn.Will the Twins make the playoffs?

NL Manager of the Year:Tony LaRussa : St. Louis Cardinals
Cardinals in 2nd place in NL Central 52-42 5 GB of Chicago Cubs

Through all of the injuries the Cardinals have endured ( Mark Mulder, Chris Carpenter, Albert Pujols), LaRussa has managed to turn this team into a team of contenders. With the help of pitching coach Dave Duncan, LaRussa has turned Kyle Lohse and Todd Wellemeyer into formidable starters. While I don't believe St. Louis will keep it up, this scrappy team surely won't give up. Tony LaRussa is definitely manager of the year if he can lead St. Louis to the playoffs through the likes of Milwaukee and Chicago, both of which added an ace each to their respective rotations.Cardinals' never give up attitude is what has made LaRussa look so good.

A little change up from last time. I realized that A-Rod is having a much better year than most third basemen in the league despite his injury, plus Joe Crede has dropped off a little bit. Aubrey Huff qualifies as the DH, so I got him there. Carlos Quentin should be on the ballot, but if he isn't in the starting lineup, he definitely has a spot reserved for him as a reserve. No Red Sox in the lineup, but a couple will show up for the game.

Well, the homer in me is saying Geovany Soto should start at catcher, but I'll go with McCann for the time being. Soto has slowed up a little bit since his great start to the year, same with Nate McLouth. Albert Pujols should probably be the DH, but since McClouth is still maintaining his stats a little bit, I'll go w/ him for the time being. Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman are having great years for a bad Astros team.

Quick Analysis - I know, I'm thinking the same thing. What are 4 Texas Rangers doing in that list? I couldn't explain it myself, but all 4 are playing very well in the first half of the season. Other things of interest, one Yankee player and zero, count them, zero Boston Red Sox players, don't ask me why.